Causeway Council supports Sherry family campaign for All-Ireland CAR T-Cell therapy

Catherine Sherry, a 42-year-old mother from Co Armagh, died after being forced to travel to London for treatment that was available around 60 miles away in Dublin

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is to write to the Health Ministers in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to seek progress on an all-Ireland provision of CAR T-cell therapy.

The move follows a successful motion brought forward by Sinn Féin councillor Leanne Peacock at the council’s Corporate Policy and Resources Committee meeting in January.

The motion stated that the council would convey its “sincerest and heartfelt condolences” to the family and friends of Catherine Sherry, who tragically passed away on May 12, 2025. It noted that Mrs Sherry died in London, separated from her three sons, after being forced to travel overseas for treatment that is available on the island of Ireland.

Mrs Sherry, a 42-year-old mother from near Ballymoyer in Co Armagh, died after being forced to travel to London for treatment that was available around 60 miles away. She had to undertake repeated air travel while she was severely immuno-suppressed, which significantly weakened her and left her unable to fight the infection that ultimately led to her death.

Mrs Sherry was a teacher at St Joseph’s Convent Primary School in Newry.

Councillor Peacock’s motion also commended the “courageous public commentary” of her husband, Fergal Sherry, and expressed the council’s support for the family’s campaign for all-Ireland provision of CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy and cancer care, so that no other family has to endure a similar experience.

It further agreed with Mr Sherry’s statement that “when you’re going through cancer treatment, you need your family near”, and committed the council to urgently writing to Northern Ireland Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Irish Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Councillors agreed to ask what plans exist for the provision of CAR T-cell therapy on an all-island basis and to encourage both ministers to explore every available option — including existing cross-border frameworks and the Shared Island Unit — to deliver the service.

Sinn Féin councillor Leanne Peacock 

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Peacock said Mrs Sherry had been forced to travel to London for treatment, despite it being available in Dublin, just over an hour from the family home.

She said: “The treatment was not available here. It was, however, available in Dublin just over an hour away from the family’s home, and travelling to London added stress to an already stressful situation.

“Most egregiously, being forced to travel to London for this treatment meant Catherine was separated from her three sons, making this horrible experience even more difficult.

“It goes without saying, therefore, that we wholeheartedly support the family’s campaign for all-island provision of CAR T-cell therapy, to make sure that no other family has to endure what the Sherry family went through.

“Collaboration in healthcare is in the interest of everyone who shares this island. It makes sense that we share services where possible, and Catherine’s case stands as a stark and harrowing reminder of the impacts of divided health and care systems on our island.”

The motion was seconded by Sinn Féin councillor Ciarán McQuillan, who said families should not be forced to travel overseas and be “separated from the people they love” in order to access life-saving treatments.

“What happened to Catherine reflects a gap in our healthcare provision that we cannot ignore,” he said.

“This council has a responsibility to add its voice. We must urge both ministers to work together, to use every cross-border mechanism available, and to ensure that this treatment is delivered on an all-Ireland basis. We owe that to Catherine, to her family, and to every family who may face a similar journey.”